EPA, Vermont hosting public meetings on Lake Champlain pollution

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Vermont will host public meetings throughout the state over the next few weeks to discuss pollution reduction targets, or the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), for Lake Champlain and its tributaries.

Moderated by the Lake Champlain Basin Program, the meetings will explain the agency’s new cap on the phosphorus allowed to enter the lake while still keeping it in compliance with the state’s water quality standards.

The new TMDL will be released on Friday, after which a 30-day public comment period will begin.

The meetings will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 26 in St. Albans, 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 27 in South Burlington and 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 27 in Rutland.

The St. Albans meeting will be held in the Bliss Room at the St. Albans Historical Society, 9 Church St. The South Burlington meeting will be held at the Burlington Doubletree, 1117 Williston Road; and the Rutland Free Library, 10 Court St., will host the Rutland meeting.